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Sigma Xi the Scientific Research Honor Society Inc

EIN 06-0655494 · Durham, NC

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak35 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 55 cents.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

TO ENHANCE THE HEALTH OF THE RESEARCH ENTERPRISE, FOSTER INTEGRITY IN SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING AND PROMOTE THE PUBLIC'S UNDERSTANDING OF SCIENCE FOR THE PURPOSE OF IMPROVING THE HUMAN CONDITION.

Income
$4.9 million
Spending
$5.1 million
Spent on programs
59%
Reserves
-1.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 69%
Employees
25
Volunteers
16
Highest pay
$240,971, executive director & ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 35 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 20% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 5% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    59% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 55 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 16 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (5)
  1. $1.3 million spent. AMERICAN SCIENTIST: BI-MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF SCIENTIFIC MAGAZINE DISTRIBUTED TO APPROXIMATELY 28,741 MEMBERS AND 10,538 SUBSCRIBERS.
  2. $694,186 spent. DEVELOP MEMBERSHIP, ENGAGE MEMBERS WITH PROGRAMS, SUPPORT 533 CHAPTERS AND WORK WITH INSTITUTIONS TO LAUNCH NEW CHAPTERS.
  3. $378,697 spent. PRODUCTION OF THE ANNUAL MEETING (INTERNATIONAL FORUM ON RESEARCH EXCELLENCE) AND GRANT FUNDING PROGRAMS.
  4. $385,721 spent. SIGMA XI'S PROGRAMS ARE FOCUSED ON SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING EDUCATION, RESEARCH ETHICS, PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF SCIENCE, INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH COOPERATION AND THE HEALTH OF THE RESEARCH ENTERPRISE.
  5. $310,378 spent. RUNNING GRANTS-IN-AID OF RESEARCH PROGRAM

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since June 1943.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.